Shifting thill.



No. 812,843. PATENTBD FEB. 20, 1906.

T. GRANT. SHIFTING THILL.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR.13, 1905.

WM %%/M UNITE STAWFNT OFFICE.

THOMAS GRANT, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN. ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THEMICHIGAN BUGGY- COMPANY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

SHIFTING THILL.

Patented Feb. 20, 19 06.

A li ti filed March 13, 1905. Serial No. 249,845.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, THOMAS GRANT, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo, State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ShiftingThills, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in shifting-thill couplings.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improvedshifting-thill coupling which is comparatively compact and is verystrong and durable and easily adjusted; secnd, to provide an improvedshifting-thill coupling which is comparatively economical in structureand at the same time is attractive in appearance.

F urther objects and objects relating to structural details willdefinitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a structure embodyingthe features of my invention with the shifting bar B in its outerposition. Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the structure appearing inFig. 1 with the shifting bar B in its inner position. Fig.v 3 is anenlarged transverse sectional view through one of the clips or bracketsC, the locking means being shown in full lines in its operativeposition. Fig. 4 is a similar transverse sectional view showing thelocking means in its operative position.

In the drawings similar .letters of reference refer to similar partsthroughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, A is a relatively stationary draw-bar, and Bis a shifting bar. The stationary draw-bar A is secured to the vehiclein a suitable manner, the same not being here shown. The draw-bar A isprovided with a pair of draftrods A, which are arranged on its frontside and parallel thereto. These draft-rods A are preferably made up ofrods having their threaded ends turned at right angles and passedthrough the drawbar and secured by suitable nuts, as clearly appears inthe drawings.

The clips or draw-irons C are rigidly secured to the shifting bar B.These clips C are provided with holes 0, through which the draft-rods Aare arranged. The clips C are shouldered to fit against the front sideof the draw-bar A and extend under the same, so that when they are inposition the bars A and B are firmly secured together, although theshifting bar B may be readily and easily adjusted.

A forwardly and downwardly projecting spring D is secured to the underside of the draw-bar A. To the forward end of this spring a lever D ispivoted. To this lever is pivoted a link d, adapted to engage the hookscl on the shifting bar B for locking the bar in its adjusted positions.The link cl is pivoted ,tothe lever D in such a manner that when thelever is in its rearward or looking position the pivot-point of the linkis carried past the pivot-point of the lever, thereby automaticallylocking the parts. To release the shifting bar, it is only necessary torelease the lever D. It is evident that this can be very quickly doneand that the shifting bar can be adjusted very quickly and easily.

On account of the peculiar attachment of the shifting bar to thedraft-bar the shifting bar may be adjusted without any binding of theparts. The shifting bar B is provided with suitable thill-couplings E,here shown in the common form.

The bars are looked under spring tension by the spring D, so thatrattling is prevented, which is a very desirable feature. The bars Aand-B are reinforced, if desired, by plates at of metal, as isillustrated.

I have illustrated and described my improved shifting-thill coupling inthe form preferred by me on account of its structural simplicity andeconomy, although I am aware that it is capable of considerablevariation in structural details Without departing from my invention. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is-- 1. The combination of a relativelystationary draft-bar having a pair of draft-rods arranged on the frontthereof and parallel thereto; a shifting bar; connectingclips for saidbars, having holes therein adapted to receive the said draft-rods ofsaid draw-bar, rigidly secured to said shifting bar, said cli s beingconformed to engage the forward 'ace and under side of said draft-bar;hooks on said shifting bar; a forwardly-projecting spring on saiddraw-bar; a lever pivoted thereto; a loop on said lever adapted toengage said hooks on said shifting bar, said loop being pivoted to saidlever at a point so related to its pivotal point as to lock the-partswhen the lever is in its rearward position, for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of a relatively stationary draft-bar a shifting bar;connecting-clips for said bars; hooks on one of said shifting bars; aspring on the other bar; a lever ivoted to said spring; a loop on saidlever a apted to engage said hooks, said loop being pivoted to saidlever ata point so related to its pivotal point as to lock the partswhen the lever is in itsdrearward position, for the purpose specifie 3.The combination of a relatively stationary draft-bar; a shifting bar;connectingclips for said bars; hooks on one of said bars;

a spring carried by the other of said bars; and

means for engaging said hooks carried by said spring, for the purposespecified.

4. The combination of a relatively stationary bar a shifting bar;connecting-clips for said bars; a spring carried by one of said bars;and means for engaging the other bar carried by said spring, wherebysaid bars are locked together under spring tension, for the purposespecified.

5. The combination of a fixed bar; a shifting bar; forwardly-projectingclips secured to said fixed bar on which said shifting bar is mounted; aspring carried by one of said bars; and means for engaging the other barcarried by said spring, whereby saidshifting bar is locked in itsadjusted position under spring tension, for the purpose specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in presence oftwo witnesses.

THOMAS GRANT.

